Dermatológia pre prax 2/2012

Occupational diseases in the region of Central Slovakia, 2011 – status quo

Occupational disease is defined as a disorder related directly to work task or close relationship to work performance. Occupational dermatitis and skin infectious diseases create a significant part of total number of occupational diseases. Authors presents the occurence of professional dermatoses in Slovak republic and in central Slovakia. In the period of 1990 – 1999, 1258 has cases been registrated. In contrast between 2000 – 2009 only 476 cases has booked. Professional infectious diseases decreased from 2184 to 411 cases. Similarly, significant reduction of professional dermatoses has been booked in the central Slovakia (Banska Bystrica and Zilina county). Metalworking fluids and rubber chemicals has been most frequent causes. Most frequent skin infectious diseases were trichophytia and scabies. Authors analysed possible causes of decrease, which could be the changement of industry and agriculture structure, insufficient financial reimboursement of administrative procedures and consequent ignorance of the problem by dermatologists, non-compliant patients and negative attitude of employees. This results are the challenge and motivation for the competent authorities: national experts, professional societies and work health services.

Keywords: occupational diseases, professional skin diseases, region of central Slovakia.